Mail-marking machine.



W. BARRY.

MAIL MARKING MAGHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 14, 1909.

949,496. Patented Nov. 16, 1909.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 1. 2&8 41 247, 96/

Witmzooeo glybw I Q Earl/Lei W. BARRY.

MAIL MARKING MACHINE. APELIGATIGN FILED MAYYM. 1909. 9 LUAQG, Patented Nov. 16. 1909.

11 SKEgTQ-SHEET 2.

W. BARRY.

, MAIL MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14. 1909. 940,496, Patented Nov. 16, 1909.

11 SHEETS-SHEET s.

witness W. BARRY.

MAIL MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION 171L212 MAY 14, 1909.

Patented Nov. 16, 1909 ll SHEETSSHBET 4 attain;

W BARRY. MAIL MARKING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 14. 1009.

Patented Nov. 16, 1909.

l1 SHEBTS SHEET 5.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY W. BARRY.

MAIL MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY14.1909.

Patented Nov. 16. 1909.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

W1 fneaoea I W. BARRY.

MAIL MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14, 1909.

. 940,496. Patented Nov. 16, 1909.

I ILSHEETS-SHEET 7.

'llllllllllllllld W. BARRY.

MAIL MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14. 1909.

K 0 T mm m 1 H w H m z 6 m 1 Q a w \\w\ x p v 1 1 1 6 111.11 a a M 5 1111.1 6 1 6 1 5 O 4 9 W ai 'v omwv Witnesses F. f8 M 1? WW W. BARRY. MAiL MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14. 1909.

940,496. v Patented Nov. 16,1909.

l1 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

.ZfaQQ/Z I; ATTRNEY W. BARRY.

MAIL MARKING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED MAY 14,1909.

940,496. Patented Nov. 16. 1909.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

3110c "for Quiet-mu W. BARRY. MAIL MARKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 14, 1909 V Patented Nov. 16, 1909.

11 SHBETSSHEET 11.

WILLIAIM BARRY, OF OSWEGO, NEW YORK.

MAIL-MARKING MACHINE.

stones.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM BARRY a citizen of: the United States, residing at 6swcgo, Oswep'o county, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lilail-Marking Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled. in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in mail marking machines; and the objects and nature of my invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation of the accompanying drawings showing what-I now consider my preferred embodiment from among other formations and arrangements within the spirit and scope of my invention.

My invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements of parts as more fully and particularly set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings z-Figure 1, is front elevation of my machine Fig. 2, is a side elevation, parts being broken away. Fig. 8, is an elevation, looking at the opposite side of the machine, parts being broken away. Fig. l, is a rear view, parts being broken away. Fig. 5, is a top plan view of the front part of the machine, parts being broken away. Fig. 6, is a vertical sectional view looking rearwardly and taken in the plane of the line 66, Fig. 5. Fig. 7, is a detail horizontal section taken in the plane of the line 7-7, Fig. 6. Fig. 8, is a detail horizontal section showing certain of the parts shown by Fig. 9, in a different position. Fig. 9, is a detail cross section in the plane of the line 9--9, Fig. l.-

certain parts being indicated by dotted lines, and certain parts being shown-in different positions by dotted and full lines. Fig. 10, 1s a.- detail plan view of the printing member or die and its iinpelling or driving roll, .the die being shown in its normal with drawn, non-printing or inoperative position, dotted lines indicating certain hidden parts. Fig. 11, is a detail vertical section.

on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 1111, Fig. 15, showing the printing element or member and the die or printing devices carried thereby. Fig. 12, is a view similar to Fig. 10, but showing the printing -to effective or operative Specification of Letters Eatent. Patentgdi 'N 165, Application filed May 1%, 1909.

Serial no. 495,992.

element adjusted to operative position with its die or printing characters brought up to the printing line or plane. Fig. 18, is a tie tail top plan of the printing element carrier. Fi 14, is a detail end view of the buffering or stop device for the printing-element rier. Fig. 15, is a detail top plan viewer the printing element. Fig. 16, is a detail perspective view of the printing element pmpelling roll or shell. Fig. 1?, 1s a detail cross sectional view through the printi clement propelling roll, and the printing element and its carrier, showing said element and its carrier in normal or withdrawn position. Fig. 18, is a view similar to 1 7, but showing the printing element in a position diametrically opposite to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1?. Fig. 19, is a view similar to Fig. 18, but showing the printing element and its carrier moved osition with the printing die at the printing point or line and cooperating with the impression roll or surface. Fig. 20, is a detail elevation of the feeder head and its hanger, showing the working or suction face of the feeder. Fig. 21, is a vertical section taken on the line 2121, Fig. 20. Fig. 22, is a sectional view taken on the line 2222, Fig. 20. Fig. 23,

is a detail plan view of the feeder head, or block, showing the same provided with gripping or feeding needles at both ends. Fig. 24:, is a detail perspective view of the feeder block of Fig. 20, showing the needle carrier removed therefrom and shown adjacent thereto. Fig. 25, is a detail plan view of a modified storm of feeder block. Figs. 26, 27 and 29 are detail cross section, perspective and longitudinal section views of one of the detachable needle carriers or holders. Fig. 28, is a face View or frontelevation of the feed block of Fig. 9.5. Fig. 30, is a face view and Fig. 31, a top plan view of still another form of feed block or head. Fig. 32, is a detail sectional view enlarged of the pump piston, the cupped washer of said piston being shown inits normal position by dotted lines, the full lines showing the position of'said washer being forced into the pump barrel. Fig. 38, is a detail elevation of the pump, parts being broken away. Figs. 34 and 35, are detail top plan views somewhat diagrammatical, showing a diflerent construction, from ing the printing element into and from pru'iting position; Fig. 3% showing the parts hcld'ng the printing element up to printing position and F shows the parts restored to normal. positions with. the printing element in position to engage the inking roll. Fig. 36, is a detail front elevation showing a portion of the machine frame front, the printing roll shaft, the printing element carrier (the printing'roll and element being removed) and the controlling structure of the two preceding figures.

The letter Way 0, is usually longitudinally open at the top and at its outer side while longitudinal guide or stop wall d, is arrang-ed alongits inner longitudinal side to guide the mail matter and against which theinner ends of the letters can be alined.

. a, is a letter bed or way into which the marked letters are discharged from the printing mechanism and in'.which they are stacked. lhis way e, can, if so desired, be inclined downwardly and rearwardly from its front end to its lower or rear end, and the two ways 0, c, are arranged approximately side by side. although the feed way 0, is usually horizontal, and both extend rearwardly from the front of the machine and at their front ends terminate at the transverse vertical front wall f, arranged across the front end of the machine. In rear of said wall a throat or passage is provided through which each letter is fed transversely from the front end of the feed way into the front end of the receiving; way to'be there engaged by a suitable stacker and forced rearwardly to proper position in the re- I L1 end gripplng ceiving j 9, 1s a support or follower movable longitudinally of the'recciving way to uphold the idle of letters therein. This follower is 1'3. id with sleeve 9, sliding on longitudinal guide rod 9 and said follower. is counterbalanced by weight 9 connected to the follower sleeve by cord g although I do not wish to so limit my invention.

The biuidle of letters to be marked is pressed forward on the bed 0, against the front wall f, and the inner ends of the lettors are alincd against the wall d, so that a suitable feeder can, at each stroke, move the foremost letter laterally from the pile and into the throat to the printing mechanism. Any suitable means can be provided to press the letters forwardly on the bed 0 and agan he front wall fialthough as at pres out o ed, I prefer to do this by hand. In

the specific example illustrated. I employ a. reciprocatino feeder utilizing both suction or other positive means for stones letter on the bed 0. Thejfeed block or head 4 2, is longitudinally or horizontally elongated and is hollow or open at its working face, said face being longitudinally traversed by spaced parallel ribs 20. The working face of the block projects rearwardly through the slot f, in wall f, into working engagement with the foremost letter behind said wall and the ends of the head are provided with upwardly and downwardly projecting stop and guide projections 21, extending above and below the slot f, and bearing against and sliding along the rear face of the wall 7.

The feed block forms a pneumatic suction cup or head, being open at its rear or working face only except for the suction connection, said open face being divided by said ribs or support 20, to support the letter engagged and prevent it from being torn or unduly drawn or bulged into the head by. the suction. At one or both ends or at intermediate points, the working face of the feed block can be provided with friction or hiting means for positively taking hold of and forcing the letters. Various friction means can be employed for this purpose although in the specific example illustrated, I show single rows of projecting points such as needle points. For instance, in the form shown by Figs. 5, 20, 22, and 24, the front end of the feed block is armed with a single transverse row of projecting'forwardly inclined needle points 22. In Fig. 23, I show the feed block provided with two transverse rows of projecting points 22, arranged at opposite ends of the block, respectively, in front of and behind the suction face. Each positive or biting element can be reinovably secured to its feed block and in the example illustrated, consists of a. single row of parallcl needles 22, soldered to and longitudinally of a plate 23, between the longitudinal edge flanges thereof with the points of the needles projecting slightly beyond one end of the plate. The feed block can be formed with a socket 24, at one end to receive said needle plate and a set screw 25, for removably clamping the plate therein. lf-so desired, such sockets canbe arranged at both ends of the block as shown by Fig. 23.

In the specific example illustrated, the feed block is formed with. a central journal opening or here 26, extending vertically therethrough and having a lateral suction opening into the concavity or inner chamber of the suction cup or face (Figs. 21 22).

-lov: vertical. spindle or suction pipe hora 26,and having lateral as or openings 27, to the space e ribs 20. The pipe 27, is formed it dor on which the feed block upper end or" the pipe prohe feed block and is closed by i o a projecting head main or arm 29, loosely on the 4 .e (Figs. 20, 21). s connected with any Suitng device through the me pipe connections or the lik .i .,.row air pipe connections 3 to the air pump mean in the lower portion ot the frame a. The pipe connections -30, comprise ihle sections to permit the top length thereof to swing with the feeder. l 9 "w iprocating pump 2, for exhaust:- ing air from. and reducing the pressure in pipe connection 30 and the feed block when the feed block is performing a feed stroke and for restoring pressure orcreating an outblast of air from the feed block and against the foremost let-tor on bed c, when the feeder is on its return or back stroke, although I do not wish to so limit all features of my improvements in feeders.

The reciprocating piston of the pump is connected by its rod 31, to crank pin 32, on

the pulley 33, rigid with vertical main shaft 34, of the machine, and the arrangement o1 the'pump actuating connections with respect to the feeder actuating connections is such that the pump piston performs its suction or air exhausting stroke while the feeder is performing its teed stroke, and the pump piston performs its return stroke driving air through the connections 30 and out through the suction face of the feed block and against the letters to hold them from said suction face, when the feed'block is performing its return stroke.

In Fig. 32, I show a construction of piston which can he advantageously employed in the air exhausting pump. This piston consists of flanged, trunk or hollow piston head 3, having radial perforations 3", through its flange. the piston washer 3", is cl amped 7 against the inner end 01 the piston head and is formed to cup outwardly around said flange and as the piston moves outwardly air will pass through perforations 3, and tend to hold the piston tightly to tho cylindcr wall. to prevent leakage.

If so desired, the outer ends of air inlet 3, can open into an annular groove, as

shown in Fig. 32, around the circumference of the piston flange and at the inner taco ot the extended cupped portion of the piston washer as shown by dotted lilies in Fig. 32.

The feed block is upheld by and recipro cated'through the medium of a hanger comprising verticalv socket 291, rigid with lateral arm 29, projecting horizontally from the upper end of the socket and at its outer end having a vertical opening in which the upper end of the pipe or spindle 27, is journaled and by which the feed block is upheld through screw head 28 or other means, as hercii'ibefore described.

The hanger is supported and carried by a radial swinging arm 292,extendingrear- 'ardly beneath the bed 0, and at its rear end journaled on a vertical stud 293, rigid with the frame, while at its front or free end said arm is provided with a. vertical stud 204-, entering th socket 291, and on which stud said socket oscillates. Thehangcr is prol ltl with spaced, lateral stop lugs 295. between which is arranged a pin 2%, rigid with a lateral projection of the swinging arm 292, (Fig. 6) for the purpose of limitingthe otherwise free lateral swing of the hanger on the stud 294, as a center.

The hanger is usually Formed with a forwardly extendingarm 297, to which one end of feed block actuating pitman 298, is pivotally joined, while the opposite end of said' pitman is pivotally mounted on crank pin 280, rigid with crank arm 281 clamped to the upper end of vertical drive shaft 34, by nut 35. The radial position of the crank arm 281, with respect to the shaft 534, and a member of the. printing couple mounted or said shaft can be varied, to regulate or time; the feed stroke of the feed block with re spect to the movement of said printing member, by means of set screw 282, and slot 28 on loosening the nut In the particular example illustrated, the feeder block is arranged in. advance of the radial arm stud 29- in the direct-ion of feeding stroke, and hence to yieldingly hold the hlock-carrying end of the hanger rearwardly and the block toward the letters during the feed stroke, I provide spring 284, carried by the pitman 298, and so arranged that when the pitman moves toward the feed block and starts on its operative or feeding stroke, the tree end of said spring will bear inwardly (rearwardly) against the feed block and yieldingly hold the same to the foremost letter on the hcd n, and at the same time the pull of the pitman on the hanger will tend to rock the hunger to hold the feed hlog-k to its work. When the pitman moves away from the feed block to perform the re-,

turn stroke, the free end of spring 284:, will move outwardly from etiective engagement with the feed hlock, and also the push of the pitman will tend to swing tho-hanger to throw the teed block tor *ardly and away from the face of the letter just delivered to the printing mechanism and from the next letter on the bed c, and at the same time the suction through the feed block is not only cut otl', but a repelling or outward blast or draft will be delivered through the feed block against the letters on the bed 0, to prevent effective engagement thereof with the feed block while on its backer return stroke.

The arm 292, swings with and carries the feed block and said block is enabled to travel in its proper path by reason of the jointed connection between said arm and the block.

The upper horizontal'length of the pipe connection 30, also swings with said block, and if so desired, 'said length of the pipe connection can be supported from" arm 292, by a hook or hanger 299.

In the form of feeder shown in Figs.

25-29, the hollowfeed block 2, is formed with a single horizontally elongated narrow suction opening, and rows ofrigid vertical pins 2, project up from the top wall of block to removablyreceive series of parallel needle carrying plates 23, each' having needles secured thereto with their points 22, projecting from the ends thereto as described in connection with Figs. 2O2 l. Each plate is formed with longitudinal-flanges 2, perforated to receiv'el the pins 2', with the plates resting on the top wall of the block in parallelism and inclined forwardly and spaced apart to present widely spaced vertical or transverse rows of biting points arranged at the ends and intermediate portions of the block and adjacent to the suction opening. Any plate of needles can be lifted off and renewed in event of damage.

In Figs. 30 and 31, I show a series of the needle plates such as shown in Figs. 2529,

arranged between two parallel suction in ouths 2, 2", and removably fitted on pins 2. In this form the feed block is formed in two parallel longitudinal sections 2", reinovably secured together by screws 2, with the needle plates and pins 2, clamped between said sections. By removing the screws 2, the upper section can be lifted ofi so that any needle plate can be removed and a new one inserted.

The forms of feed blocks shown by Figs. 25-31, are mounted and operated as hereinbefore described in connection with Figs.- 20,

etc.

At each feeding stroke, the feed block grasps the foremost letter of the bundle in the feed way and forces the same longitudinally of the front wall 1, past the separating mechanism, and to the printing mechanism which positively takcshold of the letter and carries the same forward and discharges it into the front end of the discharge or-receiv- -ing way.

The separating mechanism comprises a horizontally disposedreversely rotating roll 4, arranged behind and yieldingly held forward to the wall f, in the letter throat or passage from the feed way to the printing mechanism. Said-separating roll is designed to hold. backthe letter or letters immediately behind the letter in the grasp of the feeder,

its letter engaging portion. The roll extends across the letter throat just in advance of the printing mechanism and is constantly rotated by suitable means so that its front or letter engaging portion moves in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the letter being fed by the feeder and bears against the rear face of saidletter. In fact, said roll opposes the advance of said letter and is forced rearwardly by the advancing letter and is thereby pressed for wardly against wall f. i

In the specific example illustrated, the separator roll is in frictional driving contact with and is driven by the friction sur face 5, of an upward or top extension of the soft constantly rotating impression roll 5.

The separating roll is freely turnable on and is supported by vertical spindle l0, de-

l1, extending across but separate from the impression roll and at its end opposite the separator roll having vertical socket 42, loosely. fitted on vertical stud or pin 43, rigid with the frame work of the machine.

44, is a rearwardly extending lateral arm rigid with bracket 41, and at its "free end engaged by spring 45, to yieldingly rock the bracket on pin 43, to hold the separator roll to thewall f, or to the letter.

The swing of the bracket and movement of roll 4, toward Wall f, can be controlled or varied by adjustable headed stop screw or pin 46, passing loosely through a slot in bracket arm 44, and into an adjacent wall or portion of the frame, such as the inner longitudinal guide or stop wall of the receiving or discharge letter way.

'by those skilled in the art.

, The impression roll 5, including its frietion driving-extension 5, is soft, being usually composed of a suitable soft rubbercomposition, although felt or other suitab' yielding material can be ein"ployed.-' T i roll above the impression portion 5, is nan ally reduced in the horizontal plane of the feeder to avoid possibility of injurious contact with the feeder gripping points. The impression roll is fixed on the upper end of a constantly rotated impression roll shaft 50,

which in the example illustrated, is mounted at its lower end in a step block or bearing 51, pivotally hung to swing on a horizontal axis from a bracket 52, at the lower portion of the machine frame (Fig. 2) to permit swing or yielding of the upper end of the shaft to accommodate the movement of the impression roll toward and from. the printing element as the letters pass.

The impression shaft 50, is geared to and driven from the printing element shaft 34;, through the medium of meshing gears 53, 54h

The upper end of the impression roll shaft is mounted in and passes through vertical journal box 55, arranged in and movable longitudinally of horizontal slot 56, in the n'iachine frame to permit the movement of the impression roll and its shaft in accomn'iodating letters of different thicknesses.

5'1, is an expansive spring bearing against box 55, and yieldingly pressing the same forwardly to hold the impression roll and its shaft up to properly press the letters to the printing element and to permit the desired yielding moven'ient of said roll.

l t is desirable to employ a soft or yieldimpression surface because of the clear imprint onlhe letters attained where such surface is employed, but such surface is peculiarly susceptible to receive and smear ink on the letters causing the objectionable off-set, should the printing surface or die come in contact with the soft impression surface when no letter is interposed. It is hence d sirable, where the soft impression surface is used, to employ means permitting the printing die or element to move up to printing position or to the printing line only when a letter interposed between said die and the in'ipression surface. 4

an example of means which can be advantageously employed for this purpose, I show the printin element separate from the feeding portion of the printing roll although propelled in its encircling path thereby, and said element is also normally withdrawn from printing position and from possibility of rngaging the l111l)le-'l0l1 surface, althoug the printing roll itself is constantly maintained in cooperating relation with and to the impression surfac For instance, the vertical drive shaft 34-, is shown as forming the printing roll shaft and is mounted in fixed bearings and its upper end projects above the front ledge or horizontal top portion of the frame to receive the printing roll. The roll proper consists'of a hollow shell (5, having a horizontalitop wall and a spending circumferential flange. The up per end of drive shaft 34.- passes removably and centrally through the horizontal wall of l l l l the roll and the roll is clamped thereto to constantly rotate therewith, as by not 35.

The circumferential portion of the roll 6, is formed to cooperate with the impression roll, which is constantly pressed thereto, to grip the letters from the feeder and discharge the same into the receiving way. In other words, the impression roll and roll 6, are constantly maintained in cooperating letter feeding position and relation and are constantly driven, the movement of the impression roll toward roll 6, being limited by the engagement between box 55., and the front end wall. of slot 56.

The top wall and circumferential flange of the roll 6, are segmentally mutilated or cut-away at 60, to expose the interior chamber thereof and to receive the normally withdrawn printing element and permit the radial adjustment or shifting thereof. The printing element consists of an enlarged ver tically open bearing sleeve or ring 61, rigid with and extending rearwardly from a segmental type or die holder 62, at its outer curved face radially socketed or otherwise formed to receive type or any suitable printing characters or devices 63. Where removable type are employed clamping screws 64, or other means can be utilized to removably secure the type in the holder. I hereinterm the holder and its type or other printing characters whether fixed or removable or both, as the die or printing die.

The printing element is arranged within the roll (3, below the top w l thereof and with the die occupying the cut out portion of the roll, while the sleeve 61, is arranged about centrally beneath the top wall of the roll surrounding and of considerably greater diameter than the upper part of the shaft 34. The printing mcn'ib r sleeve 61, is cen tered on and rotates around the upwardly projecting cylindrical hub or bearing boss 66, of horizontal plate or carrier arranged beneath the roll 6, and carrying the printing element. The hub or boss 66, is vertically open or hollow for the passage of the shaft 34, and the diameter of the open center of the hub is so much greater than the diameter of the shaft passing up theret-hrough as to permit lateral swinging movement of the carrier 65, independently of the shaft 34 and roll (3, to carry the printing element to and from printing or operative position. The printing element rests and rotates on the top face of the carrier and the sleeve 61, concentrically embraces and rotates on the hub 66. The printing element is rotated by and with the roll 6, by the loose engagement between the radially arranged end wall 67 of the cut-out portion of the roll and the corresponding end of the printing element type holder.

In its normal position, with respect to the roll 6, and the impression surface, the printwith the printing ing element is withdrawn into the roll 6, die arranged inwardly and moving in a circle of the same radius as the circleof the outer letter or impression surface engaging circumference of roll 6, (see Figs. 10, 17, 18), but ec centrically thereto whereby the printing die will be spaced from the impression surface and will pass the same'with ample clearanceito avoid depositing ink thereon.

The feed block reciprocated by the pitman connection from shaft 3 1', is timed to deliver a-letter to the printing couple as the die comes opposite the impression surface or approaches printing position, to insure imprint of the die at the proper point or location on each letter. Controlling means are provided, whereby as a letter forced by the feeder approaches the printing couple, mechanism will be operated to move printin -ele1nent-carrier toward the impression r0 1 and thereby-shift or move the printing element radially and outwardly within roll 6, until the working projected into the circle of the outer circumference of roll 6, and into position to cooperate with the impression surfacefin properly imprinting the letter passing between said rolls, see Figs. 12 and 19, said die having received ink from inkin roll 68.

The carrier 65, is in the form of a horizontal swinging frame at its free end carrying the printing element and at its opposite end rigid with vertical rock shaft 69, passing down through and journaled in the front shelf of the machine frame. The swing of the carrier 65, is limited and the carrier is cushioned by buffer 610,- projecting from the free end of the carrier between adjust-- able stops 611, on the frame top. The carrier 65, is normally and yieldingly held to its limit of ing element in withdrawn or inoperative osition, by the spring 612, secured to the rame and engaging stop 618, rigid with the free end of the printing element carrier.

Means are provided for swinging carrier 65, to move the printing element to operative position as a letter passes to the print ing couple.

In the specific example illustrated, a cam 7 is fixed on constantly rotating printing roll shaft 34:, with the high portion of the 'cam edge arranged about directly below the die of the printing element.

A horizontally swinging arm 70, is pivoted at one end to the frame with its free end carryin roller 71, held yieldingly bearing forwar 1y against the cam edge hy spring 72, so that the free end of the arm or lever 7 0 is swung rearwardly at each revolution of shaft 34, by the high portion of the cam as the printing element is about reaching and is passing the impression surface, and as forwardly by spring 72,

said arm is swung face of the die has been- 'Without disturbing the forward'swing with the printposition under the impulse of .rator roll 4. The upper end of sa -tee as the roller reaches the low "portion of the cam. The arm is provided with a tooth or shoulder 73, rejecting upwardly from the end portion of the top face of the arm.

74c, is a horizontal arm fixedto and entending laterall from the lower portion of rock shaft 69, in front of and in about the same direction as arm 70. 4

75,,is a laterally swingable hook, link or "pull connection at its front end joined by a vertical pivot to the free end of lateral arm and from thence extending rearwardly and horizontally across and resting on top face of the free end of swinging lever '20, adjacent. to the tooth 73. The link 75, is at its free end formed With a notch or lateral shoulder 76, in rear of the tooth 73.

77, is a'plate spring secured to the link 75, and having a free endspringing away from the edge of the link.

7 8, is a coiled expansion spring secured to arm 74 and link 75, and constantly'tending to hold the link to itslimit of outward swing with spring 77, hearing against stop '79 and shoulder 7 6, out of the path of movement of tooth 73. when the link 75, is in its normal posi -ion, full lines Fig. 9, the lever 70, will swing; back and forth following the edge of cam 7, position of arm 7%, but should link 75, be swung to'the left (Figs. 8, 9) the "slight distance necessary to bring shoulder 76, into the path of movement of tooth 73, the lever TO on its rearward swing will (through the medium of tooth 73, and shoulder 76) pull the link rearwardly and thereby swing arm 74: rearwardly and rock shaft'69, to swing the car- The arrangement is 'such that rier 65, rearwardly and move the. die in theroll 6, to printin position as the letter enters between die and the impression roll. The length of the high portion.- of cam 7, is such as to hold the parts to maintain the printing die in printing position until the die has traversed its full length on the letter and has passed beyond the letter, and thereupon the lever 70, following the reduced portion of the cam, will swing :forwardly, permitting the carrier 65 and arm "M to swing forwardly and back back tonormal spring 612.

In its normal position link 75, is arranged outside of the path of movement of tooth 73, and consequently the arm 74 and lever 70 are normally operatively disconne ted.

I provide mechanism actuated by each let ter as it passes-the separator roll on its way to the printing couple, for establishing operative connection between lever Y0 and arm 7 For instance, in the specific example illustrated, I-show'a vertical rock shaft 8, mounted in and extending above and below the transverse front shelf of the frame and usually arranged directly below the sepasaid rock same rearwardly to permit passage of the letters, thereby oscillating the shaft 8. This oscillation of the shaft 8, causes a lateral toe 81, rigid with the lower end of the shaft and closely adjacent to the link 75, and the spring '77, thereof, to more into operative engagement- With the free end of said spring i7.

and thereby swing the link 75, to the tooth.

. 73, as shown by Fig. 8, and hence establish connection between lever 70, and arm T-l. to more the printing die to printing position tor imprinting the letter pressing back fingers 80. As soon as the letter pas 9s fingers 80 spring 77, acting in conjunction with spring 78, will restore toe S1, and the fingers to their normal positions, and the printing die will return to normal withdrawn position so that if on the next stroke of the feed block no letter is carried thereby, the die will not engage or deposit ink on the impression roll and the lever 70 will freely oscillate back and forth without moving arm H. The letter engaging cani or finger of the rock shaft 8, guards the passage to the printiilg couple and is operaledby each lot ler passing thereto to cause the printingxdie to meet each letter at the printing position.

The operative movement of the cam or finger S0, is very slight and but little force or pressure is required to more the same. and hence the resistance oti'ered to the passage of the letters is not suflicient to cause damage thereto.

In the specific example illustrated. the letter engaging cams or fingers 80, are arranged directly below the separator roll 4', but are spaced a distance therefrom. to permit free passage of the feed block between said roll and the finger or fingcrs- 'lhe finger or tingers project forwardly across the letter throat and hence when swung back by a let ter will bear against the rear face of such letter below the separator roll which is also bearing against the rear face of the same letter. The finger (or fingers) SO. hence acts as a separator device aiding in holding back letters behind the particular letter being fed and thus cooperates with the separator roll 4, and furthermore said linger resists the advance of the letter being fed by enga ing its lower portion and prevents possib e tendency of the letter to tilt or Wedge by reason of the friction applied to its upper portion by the separator roll.

The printing elenient moves in a circular path eccentric to the center on which the printing roll. proper, rotates, and the inking i oll GS, is awanged beyond the circle of movementof the letter engaging and feeding circumference of the printing roll so as not to engage the same. However, the die of the printing element on each rotation, moves out to engage the inking roller even though said die may on each rotation be moved out to printing position. which posi tion is usually diametrically opposite the inking roll engaging position.

Various. devices and arrangements can be employed for establishing operative connection between the printing element car- '70. for projecting the printing element to printing position. For instance, the arm Tet, of S and 9. and the buffer 610, (ill, can be dispensed with-and the parts can be arranged to reduce noise or nanunering to the n'iininnnn.

wherein the carrier swings on axis 69, and carries a Vertical axis or shaft 455.), mounted in the carrier to rock or ose'liate therein and to extend from a point aborc to a' point below the carrier. Tl upper end of shaft.- is rigid with horizontal c2.

oral arm 651. at it outer end p joined to the front end oi oscillate on vertical axis. [it its end, the rock shaft $30, lateral or crank :pni c.

opposite direction from arni (ml. outer end pivotally joined to the t of hook or link whereby con established with lever 70 in the in iereinbefore described in conncc t5 and t 1 H hen hool' "f5, the p sser. ot a let ter through the ng t thron in o operative n 'agernent with lever '70,

mg snat't 650, and swinging arm (351. but as the outer end of arm 6531 is pivoted to front end of rearwardly extending link (552. the swinging movelnent'of arin (351, results in drawing carrier fifi, rearwardly to bring the 1. arm 8. is swung rearwardly thereby rockcarrier to normal positions.

rier 65, and the cam controlled lever or arm In Figs. 3436, a construction is shown printing element to printing position; dur- The a in 651,

can oscillate between stops 655, rigidwith carrier 65. Other cam, lever or rotary de-' vices mounted on or carried by the carr er 65', can be employed to bring the printing element to and from printing position Without shock or hammering. V i a .7

- Each letter is discharged by the printing couple onto the -ledge 9, at the front end of the discharge. or receiving bed and behind front wall 7", and the outward movement of the letters on said ledge is limited by stop f, or by the adjustable stop 10, arranged on and adjustable longitudinally of said wall. The letters areforcedrearwardly from the ledge so'as to drop down onto the inclined bed c, and are properly stacked on said bed by any suitable stacker. For instance, I

show a stacker comprising a series of eqiially spaced spring-pressed. swingable letter engaging lingers 90, fnlcrumed or pivoted on a horizontal rotary disk 91, arranged in front of wall 7, and liked to and driven by vertical shaft 92, mounted in. the frame and rotated in the proper direction by gearing 93, 94, from the gear 534, of the main or printing roll shaft 34. (Fig. 1). Each let ter engaging arm 90 projects above tangentially from the horizontal head or disk 91, and is rearwardly directed" with respect to the direction of rotation of the disk. Each arm is in the form of an elbow or about right angled with its inner laterally extending end extending over the disk and fulcrumed thereto by vertical pin or screw 95, on which the arm swings. Each arm is yieldingly held to its limit of forward moven'icnt to its stop pin 96, by its spring 97. so lhat as the disk revolves each arm will more forwardly through the horizontal slot in wall 7", and will then sweep across the ledge l), and toward the outer end thereof and .then forwardly through the wall Each arm. can yield as it engages the letters and will not only sweep them from the ledge 9, but will properly stack and press the lettors together on the inclined bed The spring or yieldingly held stacker fingers move at a greater speed than the lettors discharged from the printing couple, for the purpose of pressing back each letter as it enters the discharge way so as to make room for the following letter. In other words, the stacker is designed to clear a path for each. letter as it enters the discharge way so that the letters can freely and regularly enter said way and be regularly and propci'ly stacked therein.

l haveuscd the term lelters herein in a broad sense to include all classes of mail matter or other material or articles which the machine is adapted to smile or imprint.

l have for purposes of illustration at 'l explanation specifically described many formations, arrangements and cons-.i'iu-tions to which my invention is not limited, and also opposing member,

it is evident that various m0difications, c0nstructions and arrangements might be resorted to, that elements might be added, or

features omitted Without departing from the" spirit and scope of my invent-ion, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the examples illustrated.

What I claim is j 1. In combination, a printing couple, a reciprocatory feeder to deliver letters there- -to, and letter separating devices arranged above and below the path of movement of the feeder and comprising a constantly operating reversely rotated roll, and a movable friction finger intercepting the letter path.

2. A letter separating mechanism comprising a reversely rotating roll and a swinging friction finger traversing the letter path and adapted to bear against the rear face of each letter as fed to the printing couple, said roll and finger being arranged one over the other.

3. A printing couple comprising a con-- stantly rotating letter feeding roll and'an in combination with a letter separating device, and letter feeding means, said letter separating device comprising a constantl operating reversely rotating roll yieldingly held in frictional driven engagement with said roll of the printing couple.

a. A printing couple comprising a constantly rotating impression roll and an opposing member, in combination with a separating device comprising a reversely rotating roll yieldingly held in frictional driven engagement with .the impression roll.

5. A printing couple comprising a yield ing surface constantly rotating impression roll and a printing member, in combination with a separating roll yicldingly held across the letter path to said printing couple and in frictional driven engagement with. the impression roll.

6. A printing couple comprising a roll constantly driven in letter feeding direction and. an opposed member, in combination with a pivotally mounted bracket, a rotary separator roll carried by said bracket in frictional driven engagement with said first mentioned roll, a spring acting on said bracket to yieldingly hold said separator roll across the letter path to said printing couple, and means limiting the swing of said bracket. I

7. A separating device comprising a frictional surface reversely rotating roll and means yieldingly holding the same across the letter path toa printing couple whereby said roll can yield for the passage-of letters and will bear and revcrsely rotate against the rear faces of the passing letters.

8. A printing couple comprising a printing roll rotating on a fixed axis, a yielding ia'nprcssion surface, the letter feeding surr of and constantly maintained away from letter.

I roll, said printing withdrawn from printing mg said axis to its normal position during said printing element normally moving in carrier to feeding relation, a printing element propelled by and rotated with the printing roll in the path of movement eccentric to the axis of rotation of the printing roll, a shiftable axis for stantly moving printing element axis shifting member normally operatively disconnected from said axis, and letter actuated means for temporarily tive connection between member on the passage printing couple.

14. A constantly rotating printing couple comprising a printing-roll and an impress sion roll yieldingly maintained'in constant faces of said roll and the impression surface being constantly maintained in letter feeding relation, and a printing element rotat-ing with and propelled by theprinting element rotated in a path eccentric to the path of rotation of the printing roll and provided with a movable axis, and'means for moving said axis for shifting the printing element to and from printing position with respect to the impression surface, said printing element being normally position, said controlled by the passage of printing couple to cause the the printing element to printsaid axis and said means being letters to the movement of ing position.

9. A printing couple comprising constantly rotating feeding surfaces constantly maintained in letter feeding relation, a constantly rotating printing element normally rotating in a path'of movement out of printing position, an inking device engaged the printing element on each rotation there a finger movably traversing the letter path to said printing couple, a separating device traversing the letter path immediately above said finger, a feeder to successi'vely feed the letters past said finger and separating device to the printing couple, a normally withdrawn printing element moving with said printing roll at d shiftable in dependently thereof, and mechanism controlled by the movement of said finger for causing said-element to pe'form its printing stroke on the passage of each letter to the printing couple.

15. In combination, a printing roll eonstantly rotating on a fixed axis and having a segmental recess, a printing element driven by and rotating movement eccentric to said axis, and arranged in said recess, a movable carrier for said element for shifting the axis of rota-- tion thereof to cause the element to perform a printing stroke, means for moving said carrier from its normal position and, for returning said carrier to its normal; position on the completion of'each printing stroke, and means controlled and operative by the passage of the letters to the printing position for establishing temporary operative connection between said carrier and said means for moving said carrier.

inking engagement with said feeding surfaces, and means controlled by the passage of letters to the printing couple for periodically shifting-the axis of rotation of the printing elementto bring said element up to printing position. v 1 10. A printing roll constantly rotating on a fixed axis, a printing element constantly rotating with and propelled by said printing roll and moving in an eccentric path with respect thereto and having a movable axis, letter actuated means for causing the shifting of said axis to'bring said element to printing position, and devices for returneach'rotation of said element.

11. A printing roll having its feeding surface maintained in constant feeding position, in combination with a printing ele-' ment normally withdrawn from printing position and provided with actuating means, and letter operated controlling mechanism for actuating said means by the passing of the letter to the printing roll to cause a printing roll and its shaft, said roll having printing stroke of a recess opening through its circumference, a printing element driven by and rotating with the roll in an eccentric path of move ment and comprising a bearing sleeve arranged within the roll and a die adapted to be projected from the roll at the printing position, a movable carrier for saidrol having an axis on which said sleeve revolves, said carrier being normally arranged to maintain said element from rinting position, and mechanism for periodically moving the carrier on the passage of the letters the printing element. 12. A pri'ntingroll rotating on a fixed axis, in combination With the printing element rotating in an eccentric path with respect to said axis and driven by said roll,

a path removed from printing position, a shiftable carrier for said printing element, and letter operated means for causing said shift on the passage of aletter from the printing'roll to bring said element to printing position with respect to said move-to printing said letters.

17. In combination, a

comprising, a prin ing roll,

13. In combination, an impression roll, a printing roll means positively driving said rolls, means constantly maintaining said rolls withtheir feeding surfaces in letter relation with respect 'to printing couple means for postsaid printing element, a con of a letter to the letter feeding relation, in combination with.

v 6. In combination, a constantly rotating to printing positionjto cause said element to establishing operai with said roll in a path" of i 

